Many readers have asked where our House Crashing posts went — thank you for your patience. We’re thrilled to share this overdue home tour, filled with practical inspiration, budget-friendly finds, and a distinct, layered decorating approach. This house is a dramatic before-and-after story: Lindsay and her husband moved into a very rough property and transformed it into a warm, eclectic home. They live in Greenville, South Carolina with their Great Dane, Gracie, and generously invited us to look around.
Here’s the living room as it looked before the renovation.
And here’s that same wall after Lindsay and her husband reworked the space. They removed an old laundry closet and installed built-in bookshelves, instantly changing the room’s scale and function.
The lights over the bookshelves are inexpensive outdoor fixtures from a big box store — about $20 each — and the pastel-patterned rug was a $19 thrift-store find that Lindsay brightened with fabric paint. The mid-century coffee table was just $10 at a thrift shop, and the tufted leather sofa came from Craigslist. To add color and texture, she wrapped a leather ottoman with inexpensive rag rugs.
The original kitchen occupied a cramped, awkward corner of the house. Instead of making do, they relocated the kitchen into a former garage and converted the old kitchen into a dining room — a smart layout change that opened the home up and improved flow.
Now the former kitchen space serves as an inviting dining area.
The large buffalo artwork and the woven dark chandelier make a striking statement. The chandelier started life as a discounted lamp from Home Goods — Lindsay flipped, painted, and repurposed it into a unique fixture. The room feels casual, layered, and effortlessly collected: mismatched chairs around the table work together, and the rug was a clearance find at Garden Ridge for $25.
That photo also highlights a thrifted hutch purchased for $60, while the dining table was built by Lindsay’s husband using Ana White plans for their first Christmas as a family. For the oversized buffalo print, Lindsay enlarged an image at a copy shop and back-mounted it on a plexiglass sheet from a home improvement store, securing the sheet to the wall for a bold, modern display.
Below is a before shot of the room that later became the new kitchen — it was a poorly converted garage, carpeted directly over concrete.
Today the kitchen features open shelving, a colorful island, and inexpensive, stylish details. Lindsay leans on white for a clean backdrop, then layers in color, pattern, and texture with rugs, found accessories, and paint. The shelving and hood are from Ikea, many dishes and accents are secondhand, and small vintage finds such as brass and copper canisters came from yard sales — all examples of smart, budget-friendly decorating.
Close-up detail: beadboard walls, a farmhouse sink, and warm wood and copper accents give the kitchen a cozy, lived-in feel.
Here’s a before image of the casual sitting room Lindsay calls the lounge.
Now the lounge is a welcoming space layered with textures and personal touches. A whimsical disco-ball-topped tree and stacked suitcases add charm, and the mantel feels complete even without a working fireplace.
One of Lindsay’s best thrift stories: while browsing The Longest Yard Sale she found a 6 x 8′ rug with a Navajo-inspired print in the bottom of someone’s trailer. The sellers hesitated but agreed to part with it for $5 because it was dirty — a bargain she happily nabbed. That kind of thrift-hunting luck informs much of the home’s eclectic character.
The mudroom is a compact vignette of rustic wood, a shiny silver clock, and layered textiles that make an entry feel warm and practical — a great example of how small spaces can have big style.
The couple didn’t stop at interiors: they turned a dirt backyard into a relaxed outdoor room. They installed a crushed-granite patio — an economical solution that created the casual, low-maintenance yard they wanted.
The outdoor gathering area includes a free secondhand wicker sofa, a chiminea, and a low pallet-style coffee table on oversized casters — in fact, the coffee table came from an antique yard and has the industrial look of a factory cart.
My favorite outdoor spot is the eclectic dining area. Lindsay’s husband built the picnic table and each chair around it is a thrift-store find, mostly $5 each. The result is a charming, mismatched ensemble that feels intentional and relaxed — a signature of their decorating approach.
Thanks to Lindsay, her husband, and Gracie for letting us share their thoughtful, budget-conscious home renovation. Their project is full of practical ideas for anyone tackling a kitchen remodel, DIY built-ins, thrifted decor, or an outdoor living space on a budget. For more photos and project details, visit Lindsay’s blog to follow along with her ongoing projects.
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